As the summer draws to a close, the NFA’s September is set to be a busy one. With a kayaking trip to Norway, scaling a mountain in Morocco, a week of relaxation in Majorca and a visit to the Dunkirk Little Ships, we will be supporting over 70 beneficiaries from 15 service organisations.

Over the next two weeks, 21 beneficiaries – all with a variety of injuries and illnesses, from amputations to PTSD and depression – will take to the French rapids in an adrenaline-pumping adventure. Kindly funded by Help For Heroes, these holidays encapsulate our motto ”From Comradeship To Challenge” and all those who attend relish the challenge of taking on the the rapids whilst helping and encouraging each other.

All the photographs from The Not Forgotten Association’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace are now available. Some 2,500 service personnel and veterans represented over 150 military charities, care homes and organisations – see how many of them you can spot!

On Wednesday 20th June, 47 beneficiaries and their escorts were taken on a tour of Highgrove Gardens, by kind permission of HRH The Prince of Wales. Blown away by the beauty of their surroundings, many found the trip a cathartic experience with laughter and smiles trickling through the whole group throughout the afternoon. Representing 14 organisations from all three services and spanning a variety of age groups, the trip also provided the opportunity for individuals to meet new friends – a direct representation of what the Association aims to do: address the causes of isolation, reduce loneliness and, overall, have a bit of fun!

The NFA has joined up with Amazon as part of their Amazon Smile initiative. This means that you can raise money for the NFA every time you buy something on Amazon. From that new laptop or television, to the washing up liquid and loo roll, no matter what you purchase 0.5% will go directly to the Association. It may not seem a lot, but every little helps! All you have to do is head to smile.amazon.co.uk, sign in, search for ‘The Not Forgotten Association’ in the bar on the right hand side and Bob’s your uncle – your good deed done for the day.

Last Thursday was an eventful day for The Not Forgotten Association with 12 beneficiaries attending the Founder’s Day Parade at The Royal Hospital Chelsea, before joining a further 2,500 veterans at Buckingham Palace for our Garden Party in the afternoon. Not only is the parade a sight to behold, but it was an honour and privilege for the group to be presented to His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank The Royal Hospital Chelsea for their kind invitiation!